MGM-15 New Potential Opioid Threat
A rather new emerging threat to the opioid crisis is MGM-15 and potentially MGM-16. These are new opioids which are derived from Kratom, more specifically the 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine) alkaloid. This new substance is already being marketed beside 7-OH but is greatly stronger which poses many concerns. MGM-15 is 50 times more potent than morphine, or 3.5 times more potent than 7-OH.
To start this blog, understand that research and information on this new and novel substance is greatly limited. But here at Recover Clarity we like to stay on the forefront of what substances could be problematic, in order to start creating treatment options. We are constantly researching what is coming out and may be of harm to public health.
If you or a loved one is suffering from 7-OH Addiction or any other opioid use disorder, please fill out the contact form below as we are here to help.
Why is this a NEW threat?
7-OH, is already regaining national concern for the dangers this substance has for public health and safety, the MGM-15 is 3.5 times as potent as 7-OH (Matsumoto et al., 2014). This then makes this substance 50 times more potent than morphine. What makes this even scarier is if the MGM-16 finds its way to the market, this is 240 times more potent than morphine (Matsumoto et al., 2014). To break this down in another way to view this, at the more potent level of MGM-16, one gram of MGM-16 would be the equivalent of doing over half a pound (0.529 pounds) of morphine.
And as it is stated as a new threat, the oldest scientific research goes back 12 years. But as for this product being marketed and sold to consumers, this is less than a year old. The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education (2025) only first got a sample on September of 2025 with their first report published only 4 months ago (November, 2025).
And the threat lies in the nature of this substance being legal in the United States. More about legislation concerns with this substance will follow later in this blog. This all relates to the legal stance by the Federal Government and individual state levels for that of Kratom and 7-OH, read about these legislative concerns in the blog on Is Kratom Really Safe. Obviously now knowing that mitragynine is a key player in this new opioid, that blog will need an update in only one month’s time. This just goes to show how quickly these scientifically altered substances change in current time.
How Does MGM-15 Relate To 7-OH
MGM-15 is built from the 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) scaffold. It is commonly described in research as dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynin or just “dihydro”, showing how closely related this substance is to 7-OH (Center for Forensic Science Research & Education, 2025). A report by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy (2025) states that MGM-15 can be synthesized from 7-OH in a single step.
MGM-15 and MGM-16 are semi-synthetic mitragynine-family opioids. Therefore, in the same family of substance and deriving from the same plant as Kratom but taking synthetic changes to improve effects. Both of these opioids were created to affect the mu-opioid and delta-opioid receptors. The mu-opioid receptors are the ones that are of more particular concern as this is where the addiction issues come up. Here are Recover Clarity all of the Addictions We Treat are those that affect the mu-opioid receptors, which include all opioids and opiates, and recently adding both 7-OH and Kratom Addiction Treatment to our list of treatment assistance.
MGM-15 Is A Strong Opioid
MGM-15 (and even more so MGM-16) is a very powerful opioid. As it has been documented that 7-OH is 13 times more potent than morphine, MGM-15 is 50 times more potent than morphine. This substance was created to be a high-affinity opioid agonist, which brings up many concerns. The binding of MGM-15 is greater than that of 7-OH and the opioid receptors which indicate higher potential for opioid effects and risks (Gour et al., 2025). These risks are for potential abuse, dependency, and severe withdrawal symptoms.
These alone are a major concern for this new substance, especially knowing the effects that 7-OH has on people, to have a derivative that is even stronger. And the study by Gour et al. (2025) was on MGM-15 tablets that are available to the public for purchase, not the chemical compounds made by Matsumoto et al. (2014).
Legal Concerns
Because MGM-15 and MGM-16 are new substances and per the research they do not have any naturally occurring Kratom alkaloids and are different than 7-OH, the laws being enforced or proposed may miss these substances. Therefore, allowing these to leapfrog over such legislation allowing an even more dangerous substance to be legally sold to people.
If laws are not written to stop the production and sale of mitragynine-related derivatives then MGM-15 could just simply replace 7-OH. Only one state as of the writing of this blog have such verbiage to stop this, which is the state of Ohio. The Board of Pharmacy (2025) has added such compounds to the proposed code for schedule one controlled substances. In this proposal they specifically mention MGM-15 and the high potency of this substance.
Potential Next Wave of Kratom Derived Compounds
The 7-OH concern is far from over but is recently getting more attention. However, before this may even see an end the new wave of even more potent substances such as MGM-15 could come about. And if legislation does not amend their laws to be broader, such as that of Ohio, then MGM-15 could easily slip in and replace 7-OH.
And this is not a simple replacement it is replacing one very potent and dangerous synthetic compound with an even stronger compound. This would only be a bigger concern to public health and safety.
MGM-15 On the Online Market
This product from a quick search on the internet is available and being sold right beside 7-OH and Kratom. Some of the products found are 7-OH, Mitragynine (Kratom), and MGM-15 blends. The products have appealing packaging and range from powders to pill forms, which come in different flavors.
Currently, I have not had the availability to check local stores to see if in person purchasing options are there. But with these being sold online beside other products, likely their spread could happen quickly.
How Easy MGM-15 Is to Buy
This was very concerning how easy this product would be to purchase. The websites require you to agree you are over 21 to enter the website, but anyone can click that button. Once on the site you can browse MGM-15 products as well as Kratom and 7-OH, or blends of any of these substances. Going all the way through the purchase part (note I did not actually purchase, so a potential final screen could have appeared) but did get to the point of entering payment information. There were some disclaimers that by purchasing you agree you are over 18 or 21 (pending the site).
The payment options were also of concern, allowing most major credit cards, Google Pay, Zelle, Cash App, ACH or digital check, and even allowing you to break up payments with companies like Sezzle, so you make payments on addictive substances. This is giving about all forms of payment possible even allowing the installment loan payments if the person does not have the money upfront.
Fictional image illustrating that without any safeguards children can easily purchase these opioid products including MGM-15 and 7-OH
Disclaimers For Potential Abuse and Addiction
Of the five sites I reviewed only one provided a link to the DEA Drug Fact Sheet, however this was for Kratom and not for 7-OH. And provided no information on the potency of MGM-15 or any other important educational information. The information makes it appear to be a “botanical” substance which is safe for anyone to consume. A couple sites did mention this is not FDA approved but also failed to mention the warnings by the FDA and any current legal stance on the substances on the sites.
How is MGM-15 Being Advertised
These are being marketed as “Legal Herbal Products” on one page, others advertising the MGM-15 is safe for beginners, and that MGM-15 is a “Game Changer”. These are all scary advertisements for such a potent synthetic compound.
MGM-15 is being mentioned as a botanical product which offers “clean energy”, “clear focus”, “relaxation mood”, and assists with balanced mood support. Many sites state it is a legal herbal product
MGM-15 is also being sold as either a powder or in pill form. With the pills coming in a variety of flavors which make it more appealing to youth and in attractive packaging.
Final Thoughts
MGM-15 is a definite threat to public health. This new substance is already being marketed online with very limited restrictions on who and how you can purchase, offering many sources of payment. No protection from youth purchasing a substance that is 50 times stronger than morphine that comes with great risk of addiction and withdrawal.
As legal framework may be changing to remove 7-OH from stores, if laws are not more broadly defined then this new more dangerous substance will step right in to replace it.
More education needs provided to people, so they are aware of the strength and dangers of this new “legal and botanical” product. Treatment options do exist for people suffering from MGM-15 Addiction which may include Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) such as Online Suboxone Treatment. And due to the cost and severity of this medication, concerns of them moving to cheaper opioids like Fentanyl is another concern. Like that of the opioid pain pill crisis that led many people to heroin and later fentanyl.
References
Center for Forensic Science Research & Education. (2025). Dihydro-7-hydroxy-mitragynine (MGM-15) new drug monograph (NPS Discovery). https://www.cfsre.org/images/monographs/Dihydro-7-Hydroxy-Mitragynine-New-Drug-Monograph-NPS-Discovery.pdf
Gour, A., King, T. I., Krotulski, A. J., Papsun, D. M., & Logan, B. K. (2025). Dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine (MGM-15): Emergence on the drug market, quantification in commercial products, and in vitro opioid receptor binding activity. Drug Testing and Analysis. Advance online publication. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40936282/
Matsumoto, K., Horie, S., Takayama, H., Ishikawa, H., Aimi, N., Ponglux, D., & Watanabe, K. (2014). Antinociceptive effect of 7-hydroxymitragynine and its synthetic analogs in mice: Discovery of opioid agonists with μ/δ receptor activity. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 348(3), 383–395. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6067406/
Ohio Board of Pharmacy. (2025). Classification of mitragynine-related compounds as Schedule I controlled substances. https://www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/documents/pubs/special/kratom/classification%20of%20mitragynine-related%20compounds%20as%20schedule%20i%20controlled%20substances%20-%20emergency%20rule.pdf